Greg Takacs
Veteran
Location: Fort Worth, TX
| Thanks for the comment.....
DTDS is Hirobo's name for driven tail (Driven Tail Drive System I think). What it will do is that the tail will be driven off the main shaft and not the engine, so if you're autoing the heli it will still have tail rotor movement. Also the gears in the DTDS are machined delrin gears instead of the molded plastic the Sceadu 30 comes with.
As far as the upgrade from the 30 to 50 goes, I have made a search to see if there is actually an upgrade package out yet, and low and behold there is: 0412160 Sceadu 50 Conv. Set $49.99 that includes everything except driven tail and 3rd bearing block. With the knowledge of the above information I stand corrected and it actually makes more sense to upgrade your 30 into a 50 than selling the 30 and getting a 50. Overall I still think that the 50 is a better value from the start, but the very reasonably priced upgrade kit makes it a viable solution for people like you who are ready to move up.
From your current point, I'd assume the cost of the upgrade would be $50 for the upgrade package, $85 or so for a decent set of blades, $180 for the engine, and $110 for the DTDS and 3rd bearing block. Total "damage" $425. You can save $110 by putting off the DTDS and 3rd bearing puchase.
A new Sceadu 50 with the OS and a decent set of blades would run you around $660. The difference between the upgrade cost and the price of a new Sceadu 50 is $235. So if you can sell your Sceadu 30 with no engine for $235 or more, the sale and purchase of a new machine is worth it. If You can't get at least $235 for it, then the upgrade is the way to go. Even if you get a little less than $235, I'd still say it's worth it as you get a brand new machine and the pleasure of building it  . However if you're short on money and want to jump into a 50 size, I'd say go with the upgrade without the DTDS and 3rd bearing, so you can be up and flying a 50 for $315. It's your call either way, but the cheap upgrade package definetely made the decision a little more difficult.
Good luck with your choice, I'm sure you'll love the extra power cushion the 50 provides! |
